Computer Awareness

Top Careers & You™ Operating Systems

1

OPERAT ING SYST EMS

Operating system is a set of master programs, which is designed to control entire operation of the computer.

Windows XP
This operating system was released in October, 2001. It was designed to replace all previous versions of
Windows.

Minimum requirements
• Pentium III processor, 233 Mhz (300 Mhz recommended)
• 64 Mbytes of memory (128 Mbytes recommended)
• 1.5 Gbytes free disk space
• A monitor with SVGA resolution (800x600)
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
• Pointing device (mouse)
• Sound card and speakers

Two versions of Windows XP

a) Home
b) Professional

Both Home and Professional can be upgraded from Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME.
Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP Home can all be upgraded to Windows XP Professional.
Windows 95 and earlier versions of Windows are up gradable to either version.

Features
• Less crashes than Windows 98 - virtually gone is the infamous 'blue screen of death' that signalled a
crashed system.
• Error messages are less impersonal and end with 'We are sorry for the inconvenience.'
• Installation of peripheral hardware such as printers, scanner and digital cameras is virtually automatic.
• Many users can share the same PC. Each can have its own password and individualized desktop. For
example, my document folders and web favourites.
• With 'Fast User Switching' a user can turn the PC over to another user without logging off. The first user's
program continues running and can be resumed when the second user is done.
• New look to the desktop with bold greens and blues in places, beige in others. The classic Windows 98
style can be restored without functional loss.
• Home networks are automatically recognized and configured. Broadband access can be setup with a few
simple steps.

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• Folders are smarter and have related Task Panes that contain tasks that match the type of files found in it.
For example, a folder with photos would have a Task Pane containing an instant viewing capability such
as a thumbnail viewer.
• Files can be dragged and dropped on a CD-RW drive icon. Once you have placed all the files you want on
the icon, you tell it to burn them. No special CD writing software is required.
• A smarter Start menu keeps your favourite programs permanently near the top. A second column contains
‘access to key features’ like control Panel and Search.

Windows ME
This operating system is the successor to Window 98, appeared late in 2000. It is very similar to Windows 98
with a few added features.

Minimum requirements
• Pentium processor, 150Mhz
• 32 Mbytes of memory
• 480-645 Mbytes of free disk space (depending on the options installed)
• A monitor with VGA (640x480 ) or higher resolution
• CD-ROM
• 3 1/2 inch Floppy Drive
• Sound card and speakers

Features
• A more reliable streamlined process that reduces the start up time for the PC.
• Automatic restoration of backup version of a file in the event of file corruption.
• Protection of files from modification from other software programs.
• Windows Media Player 7 is included.

Windows 2000
This operating system is arrived early in 2000. It is based on NT operating kernel and targeted toward
business users. It is sometimes referred to as Windows NT 5.0 and contains over 29 million lines of code.

Minimum requirements
• Pentium processor, 133 MHz
• 64 Mbytes of memory
• 2 Gbyte hard drive with a minimum of 650 Mbytes free memory
• It is offered in four versions: Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Data centre Server

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New features of Professional

• Support for FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Each file is encrypted with a randomly generated key.
• A better application installation tracker.
• Memory protection for individual applications and processes so that a single application cannot lock up
the system.
• A file encryption system and secure VPN allows a private LAN over the Internet.
• Native support is provided for ATM and cable modems.

Windows 98
This operating system was released in 1998. It retained and refined the desktop look of Windows 95. A
second edition called Windows 98SE was released in 1999 and offered some fixes and improvements to the
first edition.

Minimum requirements
• 486DX, 66 MHz processor
• 16 Mbytes of memory (24 Mbytes recommended)
• 480-645 Mbytes for a FAT16 drive; 140-255 Mbytes for a FAT32 drive
• A monitor with minimum resolution of VGA (800x600)
• Floppy Disk Drive

Features
• The biggest advance was the introduction of Internet Explorer, which is a web browser allowing you to
view and download web pages from remote servers across the Internet.
• An improved File System, FAT32 (File Allocation Table) was introduced. It enabled hard drives bigger
than 2G bytes to be used with the OS. By default, Windows 98 uses FAT16, which is the file system used
on all previous Windows versions and DOS.
• In Windows 98, you have the option of using FAT32 when first setting up a hard drive.
• Windows 98 is backward compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and the MS-DOS operating
systems.

Windows 95
It was released in 1995. It featured significant improvements over its predecessor, Windows 3.1 most notably
in the graphical user interface (GUI) and in its relatively simplified "plug-n-play" features.

Minimum requirements
• 386DX processor
• 4 Mbytes of memory (8 Mbytes recommended)
• 50-60 Mbytes of free hard drive space
• A monitor with minimum resolution of VGA (800x600)
• Floppy Disk Drive
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Features
• The desktop with icons on it first debuted.
• A taskbar was added to the bottom of the desktop. Program manager was replaced with a 'Start' button on
the taskbar. It is used to start programs, open documents, customize the system and get help. Toolbars
such as quick launch, desktop, address and links can be placed on the taskbar. Running applications that
have been minimized also appear on the taskbar.
• Windows Explorer replaced File Manager as the tool to manage folders and files.
• Long Filenames (up to 256 characters) were supported which was a tremendous improvement over 8
characters in all earlier versions of Windows as well as DOS.
• Plug and play compatibility was added which meant you could plug in new hardware (expansion cards)
which Windows would recognize and set it up for you. This feature wasn't quite there but was a start in the
right direction.
• Prior to this, when you installed new hardware you had to manually insure that there were no interrupts
(IRQ) or I/O address conflicts with existing hardware.
• The registry appeared, combining what had been multiple configuration files, into two files.
• The right mouse click arrived allowing rapid access and text manipulation.

Windows NT
Being released in 1994, this was the first Windows OS to support 32 bit programming model of the 386, 486
and Pentium processors. The support for long filenames also appeared for the fist time.
• It provides advanced security features, advanced network support and user administration which made it
a first choice for many in the business environment.

Windows 3.1.1
In 1993, Microsoft released 3.1.1. It was dubbed 'Windows for Workgroups' and provided network support so
that multiple PCs could share files and printers.

Windows 3.1
In 1992 V3.1 brought True Type fonts, multimedia support, OLE and common dialog boxes. It ran only in
protected mode and required an 80286 or better processor.

Windows 3.0
Being released in 1990, this OS became widespread in both home and office PCs. It supported the protected
mode of the 80x86 processors available at the time. A menu bar ran across the top much like the menu bar in
all Windows based applications programs.
• Program Manager provided access to program icons which were kept inside a number of different 'group
windows'. A simple mouse click on any icon would start the program it represented.
• File Manager allowed easy access and control to all the files on one's hard drive.
• Print Manager and Control Panel are appeared.

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Windows 2.0
This OS was released in April 1987. It had improved windows that overlapped one another. It also included
enhancements to the keyboard and mouse interface.
• The release of the 80386 processor enabled the multitasking of many DOS programs. Windows 2.0
competed with IBM presentation manager of the OS/2 operating system.

Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations by Microsoft for use on personal
computers including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media centre PCs. Prior to its
announcement on July 22, 2005, Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn. On January 30,
2007, it was released worldwide and was made available for purchase and download from Microsoft's
website. Windows Vista contained many changes and new features, including an updated graphical user
interface and visual style dubbed Aero, a redesigned search function, multimedia tools including Windows
DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems.
Vista aimed to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer
technology to simplify sharing files and media between computers and devices. Windows Vista included
version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, allowing software developers to write applications without traditional
Windows APIs.

Features and Functions

● Windows Aero: The new graphical user interface is named Windows Aero, which Jim Allchin stated
is an acronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open. Microsoft intended the new interface to
be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than those of previous Windows versions, including new
transparencies, live thumbnails, live icons and animations.
● Windows Shell: The new Windows shell differs significantly from the shell in Windows XP, offering a
new range of organization, navigation, and search capabilities. Windows Explorer's task pane has
been removed, integrating the relevant task options into the toolbar. A "Favourite links" pane has
been added, enabling one-click access to common directories. The address bar has been replaced
with a breadcrumb navigation system. The preview pane allows users to see thumbnails of various
files and view the contents of documents. The details pane shows information such as file size and
type, and allows viewing and editing of embedded tags in supported file formats. The Start menu has
changed as well; it no longer uses ever-expanding boxes when navigating through programs. The
word "Start" itself has been removed in favour of a blue Windows Pearl.
● Instant Search (also known as search as you type) : Windows Vista features a new way of searching
called Instant Search, which is significantly faster and more in-depth (content-based) than the search
features found in any of the previous versions of Windows.
● Windows Sidebar: A transparent panel anchored to the side of the screen where user can
place Desktop Gadgets, which are small applets designed for a specialized purpose such as
displaying the weather or sports scores. Gadgets can also be placed on other parts of the desktop.

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● Windows Internet Explorer 7: It includes new user interface, tabbed browsing, RSS, a search box,
improved printing, Page Zoom, Quick Tabs (thumbnails of all open tabs), Anti-Phishing filter, a
number of new security protection features, Internationalized Domain Name support (IDN), and
improved web standards support. IE7 in Windows Vista runs in isolation from other applications in the
operating system (protected mode), exploits and malicious software are restricted from writing to any
location beyond temporary internet files without explicit user consent.
● Windows Media Player 11: It is one of the major revamps of Microsoft's program for playing and
organizing music and video. New features in this version include word wheeling (incremental
search or "search as you type"), a new GUI for the media library, photo display and organization, the
ability to share music libraries over a network with other Windows Vista machines, Xbox
360 integration, and support for other Media Centre Extenders.
● Backup and Restore Centre: It includes backup and restore application that gives users the ability to
schedule periodic backups of files on their computer as well as recovery from previous backups.
Backups are incremental, storing only the changes each time, minimizing disk usage. It also features
Complete PC backup (available only in the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise versions), which backs
up an entire computer as an image onto a hard disk or DVD. Complete PC Backup can automatically
recreate a machine setup onto new hardware or hard disk in case of any hardware failures. Complete
PC restore can be initiated from within Windows Vista or from the Windows Vista installation CD in the
event the PC is so corrupt that it cannot start up normally from the hard disk.
● Windows Mail: It is a replacement for Outlook Express that includes a new mail store, which
improves stability and features integrated Instant Search. It has the Phishing Filter like IE7 and Junk
mail filtering that is enhanced through regular updates via. Windows Update.
● Windows Calendar: This is a new calendar and task application.
● Windows Photo Gallery: It is a photo and movie library management application. It can import from
digital cameras, tag and rate individual items. It adjusts colours and exposure, creates and displays
slideshows (with pan and fade effects) and burns slideshows to DVD.
● Windows DVD Maker: It is a companion program to Windows Movie Maker that provides the ability
to create video DVDs based on a user's content. Users can design a DVD with title, menu, video,
soundtrack, pan and zoom motion effects on pictures or slides.
● Windows Media Centre: It was previously exclusively bundled in a separate version of Windows XP,
known as Windows XP Media Centre Edition. This application has been incorporated into the Home
Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.

Hardware Requirements
• 1 gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 gigabyte (GB) of system memory (512 megabytes (MB) for Home Basic)
• 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space (20 GB for Home Basic)
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with WDDM and 128 MB of graphics memory (32 MB for Home Basic)
• DVD-ROM drive

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• Audio output
• Internet access

Additional requirements
Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on the system configuration.
While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate,
and Enterprise can support dual processors.

Minimum requirements
• 800 megahertz (MHz) processor and 512 MB of system memory
• 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
• Support for Super VGA graphics
• CD-ROM drive

Product functionality and graphics may vary based on the system configuration. Some features may require
advanced or additional hardware.

Windows 7

Introduction:
Windows 7 is the most recent major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system and is available in
six different editions (Home Premium, Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, Starter, and Home Basic). Only
Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate are widely available at retailers. The other editions focus on other
markets such as the developing world or enterprise use. All editions support IA-32 CPUs and all editions
except Starter support the x64 CPUs. (64-bit installation media is not included in Home Basic edition
packages, but can be obtained from Microsoft).

Features and Functions:

Windows 7 has many user interface improvements, which help in increasing the productivity.
Note: To use many of these features, you need to select one of the Aero themes.

1 Desktop and Taskbar feature

a) Themes: Themes include a desktop background, a screen saver, sounds & designs to
personalize your desktop. The theme can be changed as
Click on the Start button and type: Change theme in the "search programs and files"
box or click Start/Control Panel/Personalization. Press enter to select "Change the
theme" and select one of the 7 Aero themes.

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b) Taskbar enhancements
The icons of taskbar are comparatively large in size.
Each program appears as a single item even when many files are open.
Easily change the order of taskbar icons.
Click on icon and drag left or right
c) Pin items to the taskbar or Start Menu
● Click Start on the bottom left
● Locate desired program from the menu or type program name in search box
● Right click on program name and select Pin to Taskbar or click on program icon and drag
to the taskbar
● Select Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu
● For example: You can pin web pages to the taskbar by dragging the IE address bar to the
taskbar (click on icon before the web address).
d) Jump Lists: Items pinned to the taskbar will be listed on the jump list. Jump list contains
pinned and recent files. It is an easy way to open files, documents and pictures from the
taskbar.
● Right click on program icon from the taskbar & select file under pinned or recent to open
Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer also have Jump Lists.
e) Peek: You can temporarily view the desktop using Peek. This can be useful for quickly
viewing desktop gadgets and folders, or when you don’t want to minimize all open windows
and then have to restore them.

To temporarily preview the desktop:

1. Point to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar. The open windows fade from view,
revealing the desktop.
2. To make the windows reappear, move the pointer away from the Show desktop button.
f) Snap: Snap-To-Side feature lets you expand and maximize windows by dragging them
to different edges of the screen. To trigger one of these actions, touch the corresponding
edge of the screen with the mouse cursor while moving a window.
It can also be done by: Windows logo key + LEFT, RIGHT, UP or SHIFT UP ARROW
g) Desktop Gadgets: Gadgets such as Weather or CPU meter can be placed on your
desktop.
● Right click anywhere on your desktop and select gadgets
● Double click on desired gadget to add
● Click on the arrow to increase the size of the gadget and click on the wrench to change the
options

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2. Personalize your PC
a) Change your user account picture:
● Click Start / your account picture is located on the 2nd column above your name
● Click on the picture
● Click on ‘Change your picture‘
● Select desired picture or click on browse for more pictures to locate personal picture
b) Change your wallpaper (pictures on your desktop):
● Right click on your desktop
● Click on Personalize
● Select from Aero theme pictures or
● Click on Desktop Background / click Browse to select picture location and locate folder
and click ok / click Save changes
c) Change the size of the text on your screen:
● Right click on your desktop
● Click on Screen Resolution
● Click on Make text and other items larger or smaller
● Select desired option
● Click apply and select logoff later or logoff now to apply changes

3. Working with Libraries:

Libraries: Libraries (virtual storage folders) are used to bring files together from many different
locations. They are in multiple locations but libraries make it look like one location. We can use folders
from drive C and external drives also.
- By default, you will see 4 libraries: Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos
- To add folders to library:
- Open Windows Explorer / click on ‘desired folder’ / click ‘Include in Library’ / select library
from list

or click on ‘Windows Explorer’ from the taskbar / double click on the library / click ‘locations’ / click ‘Add’
/ select desired folder / click ‘Include’

4. Search for Programs & Files:

a) Start menu search: We can easily find installed programs and stored files in a computer.
● Click on Start (Bottom left Windows7 circle)
● Type what you are searching for (Search program and files box) E.g. Type ‘publisher’ to
locate the MS Publisher program
● Windows7 provides you with a results list

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Depending on your search, you will see results grouped by category:

Programs, Control Panel, Documents, Microsoft Outlook & Files
b) Windows Explorer search:
● Click on Windows Explorer (yellow folder from the taskbar). The search will be based
on your location in Windows Explorer.
● Available options are:
§ Add a search filter, search by date modified or size or author
§ To search by author: Type ‘author: Dave’ to find all files of author Dave
§ To save a search: Click on save search. It will be listed when you click in search
libraries box and is stored in Favorites.
§ Help: Click on ‘?’ (To get help) / Type search /
Select ‘Advanced tips for searching in Windows ‘

5. Other Windows 7 Features:

a) Snipping Tool: It is used to make screen shots or to crop a portion of your screen.
● Go to the window you want to crop
● Click on Start / type snipping / press enter to select and run Snipping Tool
● Click and drag + sign to define region
§ Minimize the snipping tool and maximize, when needed
§ Copy/ save/ highlight/email or erase

b) Fast User Switching: We can switch to a different user without closing any programs.
Use if you need to share your computer with others.
● Press Control Alt + Delete
● Select Switch User

c) Windows Security Essentials: Window 7 has free anti-malware software for the protection of
computer. This free download is available on the Microsoft website.

d) 64 bit – Windows 7 is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The 64-bit version can more
effectively process large amounts of random access memory (RAM).

System Requirements
● Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
● Intel® Core™ 2 Duo/Quad 2.66 GHz or faster processor or equivalent
● 4 GByte RAM
● 10 GByte hard disk space (Install + User Files)
● Dual monitors with at least 1680x1050(widescreen) or 1600x1200(4:3) screen resolution
● NVIDIA® GeForce® 80003 series, 256 MB (or more) graphics card or equivalent

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● USB2.0 port (if connecting to a NanoBoard-NB2 or NanoBoard-3000)

● Adobe® Reader® 8 or above
● DVD-Drive
● Internet Connection
● Internet Explorer 7 or above
● Microsoft Excel

Windows 8
Windows 8 is the next version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for
use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theatre PCs.
The release to manufacturing (RTM) is expected in August 2012 although Windows 8 will be available to
users only after general availability in October. Windows 8's server counterpart, Windows Server 2012, is in
development concurrently with Windows 8. The most recent official pre-release version of Windows 8 is
the Release Preview, which was released on May 31, 2012.

Feature and Function

1. Support for both x86 PCs and ARM tablets: Windows 8 is the first edition of Windows to operate on
both ARM based tablets and traditional x86 PCs based on ARM processors from Intel and AMD. In
addition to ARM edition of Windows 8, it also includes a new mode dubbed “always on, always
connected,” designed to tablets, which act like smart phones. Tablets can remain in standby mode
without disconnecting from the Internet, and then wake up instantly.
Windows 8 is designed to work seamlessly across both PCs and ARM tablets.
2. Touch-centric, Tiles-based User Interface (UI): Although Windows 8 might look and feel like an
entirely new “user experience”. Microsoft is actually layering a new animation-enabled user interface
(UI) on top of an only somewhat upgraded Windows 7.
The Windows 8 Start Menu is customizable through a mosaic of tiles, which differ from traditional
desktop icons by letting you view live information from Windows 8 Metro style apps without actually
accessing the apps.
The tile-based UI for a Windows 8 weather app is able to display the current temperature in a city along
with projected temperatures for the next two days without requiring you to open up the app. A tile for
Windows Live Mail will show your latest message, while a tile for a social networking app will show your
notifications.
3. Charms: In large part, ‘charms’ is a new implementation of the traditional Windows start bar. Charms
can also be used to quickly configure settings for individual apps. On an ordinary non-touch PC, charms
are accessed by dragging the mouse to the bottom-left corner of the screen, to the same spot as the
old Windows start button. On a tablet, you swipe from the right side of the screen to bring up charms.

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4. Snap Multi-tasking: ‘Snap multi-tasking” is designed to make it easy to run two apps in Windows 8
side-by-side, to resize them, and to switch between them. On the right-hand side of the screen, you can
snap an app into place.
You can make an app smaller or larger by dragging the bar for the app. To switch between apps in
Windows 8, you swipe from the left-hand part of the screen.
5. Windows 8 Control Panel: Beyond revamping the Windows task manager, Microsoft has also
redesigned the control panel for Windows 8. New options include Personalize, Users, Wireless,
Notifications, General, Privacy, Search, and Share.
As Metro style apps become available, you'll be able to use the Personalize menu to customize the
Start menu with tiles for calendar, music, e-mail, Netflix, and much more.
6. Web Navigation by Touch: The Internet Explorer (IE) 10 browser built into Windows 8 is designed to
offer faster browsing through greater hardware acceleration, along with rapid gesture-based zoom, pan,
and Web site navigation.
7. Two Touch Keyboards: Windows 8 also contains two soft keyboards: an “enhanced” traditional
keyboard, plus a new thumbs keyboard for non-touch typists.
In efforts by Microsoft to make typing on a virtual keyboard faster and more accurate, the revised
edition of the conventional keyboard suggests words on the screen as you type. Then, you can tap to
select a suggested word. Microsoft also provides a spell check like feature, designed to automatically
correct mistyped words. Although like any other spellchecker, this feature can also cause its own errors.
8. Better Support for Multiple Monitors: Windows 8 also brings increased support for multiple monitors.
Preview of the new OS includes first-time capabilities for extending the taskbar across two PCs, without
any need for third-party apps. You can also stretch wallpaper across two monitors or display the Start
screen on one PC and the desktop on the other.
It is also easy to switch between multiple monitors. The primary monitor has a start button, and the
secondary monitor has a switcher button. Clicking or tapping on the switcher button will swap it out for
the start button allowing you to turn the secondary monitor into the primary one.

Hardware requirements
• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution, and 1366 x 768 for the snap feature.

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Other Operating Systems

DOS (Disk Operating System)
PC-DOS, developed by Bill Gates of Microsoft, was the first operating system that ran on the IBM PC
(released in 1981). It was the world's first mass market PC. MS-DOS is a Microsoft version almost identical to
PC-DOS that Microsoft retained the right to distribute.
DOS is a text based operating system, and is more tedious to use than GUI (Graphical User Interface).
However, it offers the user more direct access to the inner workings of the PC, which newer releases of
Windows seem to be progressively hiding from the user.
A DOS session can be opened while running Windows. Just click Start, then Programs and find the MS-DOS
Prompt and click it.
Every once in a while you may need to open a DOS or Command session, as it is now called, in order to
change or check a PC parameter that cannot be changed from Windows.

Mac
Mac is an operating system that runs on Macintosh computers from Apple Inc. Many people, who use
computers for graphics development, like the features in this OS.
In the late 1980s, the Wintel (Windows/Intel) combination of software/hardware used on the PC took off
because the architecture was open. This encouraged third parties to develop software and special purpose
Add-on cards for the PC that enabled further extensions and enhancements to the PC.
Apple took the closed architecture approach and no one could get specifications necessary to develop third
party boards for it. The end result is that no one could develop anything for the Mac. This held back the
growth and acceptance of the Mac, and allowed the PC to gain tremendous market share.
Over time the inertia of the Wintel based PC became virtually, for better or worse, unstoppable. Today 9 out of
every 10 PCs are Wintel based. In spite of some of the shortcomings of Windows, it along with the Microsoft
Office suite has become the de facto operating platform for PCs worldwide. More application software and
support are available for it than any other OS in the world.

UNIX
UNIX (you-niks) is an operating system that originated at Bell Labs in 1969. It was the first OS written in the
popular 'C' programming language. It is not a proprietary operating system owned by any computer company.
UNIX is used primarily in workstations which are typically more powerful machines than PCs.

Solaris
Solaris (the follow on to SunOS) is an UNIX based operating system developed by Sun Microsystems for its
family of Scalable Processor Architecture-based processors. It can also run on Intel-based processors. Sun's
SPARC/Solaris systems were the predominant servers for Web sites as the Internet emerged in the 1990s.
Solaris is available (meaning it seldom crashes), scalable (it can be run on larger processors) and is designed
for network computing. Sun advertises its latest version, the Solaris 8 Operating Environment, as the 'the
leading UNIX environment' today.

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Linux
Linux (lih-niks) is an UNIX-like operating system. The kernel (core of the operating system) was developed by
Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Unlike commercial operating systems, it is free and
anyone can download it from the Internet.
Linux is an open source language and anyone can add to it. It is distributed using the Free Software
Foundation's 'copy left' stipulations that mean any modified version that is redistributed must in turn be made
freely available.
Some have suggested that Linux may become an open language alternative to the popular desktop OS,
Microsoft Windows. It is very popular among users already familiar with UNIX, but has far fewer users than
Windows.

Script
Script is another name for a macro or batch file and is basically a list of commands that performs common
tasks without user interaction. A script language is a simple programming language with which you can write
scripts.
PERL (Practical Extraction and Report Language) is a scripting language especially designed for processing
text. Because of its strong text processing abilities, Perl has become one of the most popular languages for
writing CGI scripts.
Apple script is a scripting language developed by Apple Computer that is integrated into the Mac OS starting
with System 7.5. AppleScripts automate common tasks, yet are powerful enough to automate complex tasks.

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